Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Sharing the Good News

Luke 1: 39 – 45
V41“When Elizabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with Holy Spirit”.

Having received the divine disclosure from the angel of the Lord regarding the birth of the son of God through her, Mary hastened to share this good news to Elizabeth, her elderly relative who lives in the far away hill country, a town in Judah. Mary and Elizabeth were facing similar but very distinct experience in their life. Mary being a virgin and Elizabeth being considered barren were not supposed to conceive. Nevertheless, God uses their womb to bring hope and redemption to the people in darkness and despair. 
REASON FOR MARY'S VISIT
 The reason of Mary’s visitation is not clearly specified here. We could simply speculate that Mary wanted to avoid the embarrassing situation from her neighborhood when they come to know about her pregnancy. More possibly, her journey was to witness the extraordinary sign that Gabriel had given her. It was in no way a search for a confirmation or as a proof to believe but in obedience and submission to the divine plan. Mary’s visit and her words of greetings turned out to be great relief and consolation to the elderly woman who was in the advanced days of her pregnancy. The three months’ time that Mary had spent there was a period of physical help, exchange of blessings and spiritual nourishing. 
2.  RESULT OF MARY'S VISIT
 The result of Mary’s visit was primarily with regards to the words of greetings (Luke places great emphasis on Mary’s greetings as he mentions it three times - Lk.1:40, 41, 44) and its response on Elizabeth’s unborn child. The baby in her womb leaped with joy and Elizabeth was filled with Holy Spirit. The transformation caused to Elizabeth was amazing. Prompted by the child in her womb, filled with Holy Spirit, she places herself in the servant’s role, bestowing honor on her guest whom she recognizes now as the “mother of my Lord” and “blessed among women”. Of course, she was superior to Mary in many ways – she is a daughter of Aaron, the wife of a priest and much elder to Mary. Thus, Mary’s presence turned out to be a significant confirmation for Elizabeth regarding the work of the Holy Spirit. 
 

Prayer
 Lord, help us to be sources of blessing to others in their dire needs through our physical presence and comforting words. Amen

Thought for the Day
"To praise is an investment in happiness" - George Adams


Rev. Joseph Johnny, 
Bishop Secretary, Kottayam.

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